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Longitudinal Assessment of Compliance to Follow-Up Visits among Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia, from 2015-2019 Authors' affiliates
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  • Chisom Adaobi Nri-Ezedi,
  • Thomas Ulasi,
  • Chilota Chibuife Efobi,
  • Nwanneka Ugwu,
  • Somtoochukwu Ngonadi
Chisom Adaobi Nri-Ezedi
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
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Thomas Ulasi
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
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Chilota Chibuife Efobi
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Nwanneka Ugwu
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
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Somtoochukwu Ngonadi
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
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Abstract

Background: Adherence to follow-up visits is crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study aimed to evaluate compliance with follow-up visits among paediatric SCD patients over a five-year period. Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the sickle cell disease clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, spanning from January 2015 to December 2019. A total of 271 unique paediatric patients with SCD and 1117 follow-up visits were included. Compliance with follow-up visits, defined as attendance within 100 days of the previous visit, was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Results: During the study period, a total of 1117 follow-up visits were documented among 271 children diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia. The median age of the study cohort was 8 years (IQR: 4 to 12 years). Male patients constituted 57% of the study population. Fifty percent of subjects remained compliant with follow-up visits at 14.2 months (95% CI = 8.9-24.1 months) and this compliance decreased to 40% at 24 months (95% CI = 31-49 months). Males showed a lower likelihood to be compliant to follow-up visits than females (HR: 0.83; CI: 0.56-1.23). Following adjustments, patients who were sicker and young adolescents (10 to 14 years) had an increased likelihood of complying to follow up visits (HR: 1.05; CI: 0.71-1.57 vs HR: 1.15; CI: 0.682-1.940 respectively) but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The overall poor compliance rate to follow up visits underscores the urgent need for interventions aimed at improving adherence to follow-up visits in this vulnerable population. Counselling interventions and further exploration of factors influencing compliance are warranted to enhance the management and outcomes of children living with sickle cell anaemia.
Submitted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer
06 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
06 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
06 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
03 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
03 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
03 Oct 20241st Revision Received
09 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned